Since its founding in New York, by the young energetic German immigrant Hans Knoll in 1938, Knoll offered its customers value in modern office design.

Knoll's claim to fame is as an efficient manufacturer of a broad range of furniture as well as a furniture design leader. Knoll strongly believes that designers should be credited by name and paid royalties for their designs. This tradition at Knoll is likely responsible for the cache the Knoll brand carries to this day.